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LAWRENCE T. “BUD” BAGWELL - INDUCTEE #79

hall of fame fast fact:

Bud Bagwell's real name was Lawrence Taylor Bagwell. But he picked the nickname "Bud" at an early age. "His mother liked long names, but his sister couldn't say Lawrence Taylor," Mary Bagwell recalled. "So she called him Bud."

Lawrence T. "Bud" Bagwell 

Lawrence Taylor “Bud” Bagwell earned an Olympic tryout on the basis of a sensational high school and college track career.

In 1923, sophomore Bagwell tied the state record in Austin in winning the 880. He kept running as he attended West Texas State Teachers College in Canyon.

In 1928, Bagwell won the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association 880 in one minute and 57.7 seconds. Later that year, he won an Olympic tryout in Dallas.

That earned him an invitation to 1928 U.S. Olympic trials in Boston. He finished seventh in the 880-yard run, missing a qualifying spot for the Amsterdam Olympics by three places.

Back in Claude, in his 30s, Bagwell spent time at the high school to help the track athletes.

After his track career, Bagwell settled down to ranching and farming on his 1,600 acre spread near Claude.